Finally heading home for the Christmas break and want to get a few "essential" jobs completed. The terminal on the starter motor is broken - its loose and rotates so cannot be tightened. Sometimes the bike starts 1st time, other times l need to remove the RH faring and stick my arm in to give the cable a wiggle to get it to start. (ob not great with everyone watching you in the pub car park, get all the Ducati electrical jokes). My question is: is it just a case of removing the end cap (2 bolts) while keeping the starter motor attached to the engine and replacing the terminal and brushes kit that are available or removing the side of the engine and removing the entire start motor from within? (I have a Exact-Start cable to replace the original with). I do not have my Haynes manual to hand so cannot check if this is possible. If there are any guides or photos that would be much appreciated. Thanks
I did my 900superlight with the starter removed, it was still fiddly fitting the brushes with the motor on the bench, memory says its awkward keeping everything in place and aligned with the case notches (brushes plate/brushes) whilst refitting the cover. You wont loose anything (but time) attempting to do it in situe & there's always the escape plan option of removing it for a bench fitting if it goes T*ts up at the 1st (few) attempt(s) .
As Nelly says, it can be done without removing the starter, it depends on your experience and dexterity. I have relatively slim hands and replaced brushes in mine (916 with the added nuisance of the oil cooler partly disconnected and swung out of the way) in a friend's garage whilst on holiday. I remember filing an 8mm ring spanner down to get full engagement on the thin nut on the cable post. If you have stripped starters down before it is useful so that you know exactly what you are doing whilst laid on the floor with your neck at an awkward angle and the spanner / part you want next is just out of reach!
